Urban Tulsa, an alternative weekly newspaper, published an interesting article about the longstanding rivalry between the Route 66 communities of Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
Among the people interviewed was Michael Wallis, author of “Route 66: The Mother Road” and a longtime Tulsa resident.
The story is long, but worth your time.
I live in Edmond, a northern suburb of Oklahoma City. I’ve lived in Oklahoma just about all my life. I can remember the rivalry.
I like OKC. I like the entertainment. My Asian wife like the Asian grocery stores, resturants, and community here.
I like Tulsa’s “classic” and “art deco” feel. But, I think Tulsa needs to fix many of it’s roads. The highways going through it are in terrible shape. I think Tulsa needs to promote itself better, too. Right off the top of my head, I can’t think of many things to do in Tulsa.
But, for example, in Dallas I know there’s Six Flags, the Kennedy Assassination Museum, and other attractions. In New Orleans there’s the French Quarter and Mardis Gras.
But I can’t think of much in Tulsa.
That’s just my observations.
Feh. Oklahoma’s roads are bad everywhere. Driving on I-44 or I-40 in OKC is teeth-rattling.
I guess I’m not into OKC that much. There are a couple of cool neighborhoods west of the Capitol, but mostly I find the city dull. It’s better than Edmond, which has almost nothing of distinction along its Route 66 corridor. There’s more interesting stuff in itty-bitty Arcadia than in all of Edmond.
And I flinch when I see the words “Kennedy Assassination Museum” and “attractions” in the same sentence.
Trevor, I disagree with you (but what else is new?) I like both OKC and Tulsa, and I preface this by saying that I’m probably just a tiny bit prejudiced since I live in Tulsa, but to say there’s not much to do in Tulsa is wrong, in my opinion. I’ve lived in about 10 different cities in my life, and I’ve never lived in a place that is so conscious of making sure it’s citizens are amused and entertained at all times, particularly in a smaller city like this. I can’t even begin to keep up with everything there is to do here. And visually, Tulsa is unique, too. I do like OKC, but my vote goes to Tulsa. So, I guess the rivalry goes on. 🙂
The “Kennedy Assassination Museum” is actually called the “6th Floor Museum”, but, unless one has been there (I have) then one probably wouldn’t know what it is from the name.
I-40 is being moved further south, so Bricktown can expand. Hopefully, it’ll be improved at the same time.
You are correct that there isn’t much on Route 66 through OKC. Along 23rd street there is some interesting old architecture, but, it hasn’t been promoted for tourists. The Tower Theater is being restored, the Gold Dome was preserved, and the Asian District is being worked on some, but there is more than can be done. I actually think Bethany has done more to promote 66, but, other than the bridge on Lake Overholser, there isn’t much for a tourist there either.
I was riding my motorcycle through Tulsa once, and actually popped airborn over a couple of the humps in the asphault. But, I like the architecture in Tulsa. The bus station by itself would make a pretty museum.